Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
This is one of the most memorable books I have read. No suspense, no thrills just a story that is almost real.
Thanks to my friend who lent me this book. I saw the movie. But that did not have the effect this book had on me (no surprise there....). I was taken into a different world with the description of the details of the white paint on the face, the details of the kimono, the patience, the longing....everything.
The thing that struck me most - when chiyo actually realizes that she cannot become a geisha. She has to be a geisha. What a difference a word makes....becoming vs being. As I read through the sentence, I had my "Aha!!!!" moment. I realized this is the difference between the things you do well and the things you excel at. I realized, being makes all the difference.
"To be a geisha is to be judged as a moving piece of art". How many people can claim that? As much as I don't support the manner in which children are sold into the okiyas, I cannot help but be amazed at this thought.
What memorable quotes the book has......
Adversity is like a strong wind. I don't mean it holds us back from places we might otherwise go.It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are and not merely as we might like to be.--------- How true.....
I don't think any of us can speak frankly about pain until we are no longer enduring it.--------dare to say "No" to that? I wouldn't. Even from the few years I have been in this world, I know it is true.
I have read this only once so far but I want to read it again. But then I really don't want the magic to go away. So I might not read it again :-) . May be I will just keep it on my bookshelf and recall the magic whenever I look at it.
Thanks to my friend who lent me this book. I saw the movie. But that did not have the effect this book had on me (no surprise there....). I was taken into a different world with the description of the details of the white paint on the face, the details of the kimono, the patience, the longing....everything.
The thing that struck me most - when chiyo actually realizes that she cannot become a geisha. She has to be a geisha. What a difference a word makes....becoming vs being. As I read through the sentence, I had my "Aha!!!!" moment. I realized this is the difference between the things you do well and the things you excel at. I realized, being makes all the difference.
"To be a geisha is to be judged as a moving piece of art". How many people can claim that? As much as I don't support the manner in which children are sold into the okiyas, I cannot help but be amazed at this thought.
What memorable quotes the book has......
Adversity is like a strong wind. I don't mean it holds us back from places we might otherwise go.It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are and not merely as we might like to be.--------- How true.....
I don't think any of us can speak frankly about pain until we are no longer enduring it.--------dare to say "No" to that? I wouldn't. Even from the few years I have been in this world, I know it is true.
I have read this only once so far but I want to read it again. But then I really don't want the magic to go away. So I might not read it again :-) . May be I will just keep it on my bookshelf and recall the magic whenever I look at it.
Moment's Indulgence
I ask for a moment's indulgence to sit by thy side.
The works that I have in hand I will finish afterwards.
Away from the sight of thy face my heart knows no rest nor respite,
and my work becomes an endless toil in a shoreless sea of toil.
Today the summer has come at my window with its sighs and murmurs; and
the bees are plying their minstrelsy at the court of the flowering grove.
Now it is time to sit quite, face to face with thee, and to sing
dedication of life in this silent and overflowing leisure.
-Ravindranath Tagore
The works that I have in hand I will finish afterwards.
Away from the sight of thy face my heart knows no rest nor respite,
and my work becomes an endless toil in a shoreless sea of toil.
Today the summer has come at my window with its sighs and murmurs; and
the bees are plying their minstrelsy at the court of the flowering grove.
Now it is time to sit quite, face to face with thee, and to sing
dedication of life in this silent and overflowing leisure.
-Ravindranath Tagore
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